Former Minister Abdirahman Sheikh Yusuf Ali Aynte has issued a statement expressing reservations regarding President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s recently announced national dialogue initiative. Aynte’s statement, released via his X (formerly Twitter) account, suggests that the initiative, intended to address constitutional and electoral disputes and foster national unity against Al-Shabaab, risks exacerbating political instability if not carefully implemented.
Aynte, who served as Somalia’s Minister of Planning and International Cooperation from 2015 to 2017, drew attention to the outcomes of similar political dialogues held in 2016 and 2021, asserting that these previous attempts failed to achieve lasting solutions. He emphasized the necessity of incorporating lessons learned from past experiences to prevent further fragmentation within the political landscape.
A central point of Aynte’s critique focused on the existing electoral agreements, which he argued have disenfranchised Somali citizens by limiting their ability to directly elect parliamentary representatives. He called for the implementation of an electoral system grounded in principles of justice, equality, and transparency.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s national dialogue initiative aims to address political tensions that have arisen over the past year, particularly concerning constitutional and electoral matters, while also seeking to consolidate national efforts in combating Al-Shabaab. Aynte, however, warned that a continuation of flawed political arrangements would erode public trust in the government.
Aynte, who previously co-founded and served as the first Executive Director of the Heritage Institute for Policy Studies (HIPS), a prominent Somali think tank, also highlighted the correlation between governance deficiencies and security challenges. He argued that armed insurgencies, such as Al-Shabaab, thrive in environments characterized by corruption and systemic injustice, and that genuine political and institutional reforms are essential for effective counter-terrorism strategies.
Aynte’s statement comes amidst a broader spectrum of responses from Somali political figures. Former Presidents, Prime Ministers, and other influential individuals have offered varied perspectives on President Mohamud’s dialogue initiative, with some expressing support and others maintaining a more skeptical stance.
The success or failure of the national dialogue is anticipated to have significant implications for Somalia’s political stability and its capacity to address ongoing security threats. The international community is observing the developments closely, given the potential impact on regional stability.